With a strict limit on the number of lodges allowed in the beautiful NamibRand Nature Reserve, it’s not often that a new one appears on the books. But here is Kwessi Dunes Lodge, once a traditional Namibian farm and now 10 cool and quirky chalets, which opened to guests in March 2020. Set smack bang in the middle of the 200,000-hectare reserve, there’s plenty to get your teeth into – we hear tales of nature drives and walks, quad bike explorations, hot air balloon flights, Sossusvlei trips and plenty of opportunities to spot desert-adapted wildlife. Add to that a lovely-looking lodge and a team that knows exactly what they’re doing when it comes to top-notch safaris (and air conditioning and a swimming pool).
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The 10 canvas-and-thatch-chalets (plus two family suites!) are sprinkled around the main area. Conical roofs and swinging hammocks are fun and quirky and inside, the décor is traditional with a touch of something different – think striped canvas and contemporary steel lamps mixed with old maps and leather chairs. All are air conditioned and have ensuite bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, but the real cherry on top is the alfresco ‘stargazer’ rooms at the back into which the beds can be moved to spend a night under the glittering stars.
The quirky, air-conditioned chalets. With stripy walls, map murals and vintage four-poster beds, they stand out in a desert of green canvas.
We’ve heard that each chalet will have a separate ‘star gazer’ room at the back, the ideal spot for counting the shooting stars in Africa’s first internationally-acclaimed Dark Sky Reserve.
The lodge isn’t located at the dunes of Sossusvlei (which we think is a good thing!) but if you’ve got your heart set on gazing at those iconic dunes from your veranda, that’s not the case here.
Kwessi Dunes Lodge is owned by Natural Selection which is dedicated to conservation, partnering with local communities, governments, and organizations to protect and expand conservation areas. They build eco-friendly camps that blend into the environment and aim to inform guests about Africa's wildlife challenges and successes, hoping to inspire further positive action for wildlife conservation. A contribution of $27,40 per guest, which is included in the nightly rate, goes towards the above goals.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
Kwessi Dunes Lodge can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Namibia trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Namibia trips featuring Kwessi Dunes Lodge or get advice and suggestions from one of our Namibia specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Kwessi Dunes Lodge start from around $720, or US$720, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A collection of farms, home to some of Namibia’s greats: sand dunes, mountains and desert animals.
